Study of Maneuvering Feeling via Driver's Physiological Responses: Objective Evaluation of a Driver's Physiological State Using Simulators in Monitoring Face Temperature, Blood Pressure and Heart Rate

The evaluation of ‘Maneuvering Feeling’ during driving should not only be judged subjectively by the driver but also judged objectively with scientific results. This paper will detail experiments conducted using two types of driving simulators. For the purpose of obtaining the objective evaluation of the driver's feeling under various driving conditions, specific color photographs were taken of the distribution of his face temperature. These were taken momentarily with an infrared camera. His blood pressure and heart rate also continuously measured his physiological responses.

The face temperatures of almost all drivers tended to rise while driving. Especially so, when they encountered unexpected changes in the road environment. This was because of the driving task and stress incurred. There is a correlation between the face temperature, the blood pressure and the heart rate. Contrary results of drivers whose temperature lowered during the simulation can be explained as a result of discomfort due to ‘motion seasickness’. This is now refereed to as ‘simulator sickness’.